Day 35 – From Tylerhorse Canyon via Springs Road to Tehachapi, mile 558

May 25. We had planned a very early start the day before, but that didn’t really work out. So today we woke up around 4am and hit the trail by at 5am. There were just 17 miles to the highway crossing that would take us with hitchhiking to Tehachapi and with that to the long anticipated break… Food, laundry, shower…

We have been constantly increasing the daily mileage… so even this 17 miles day feels like half a day or a nero. 😉

After some more altitude gain, the trail descended constantly with a view on a very big wind farm.

Song of today: Come on, come on – Billy Idol

My blister still hurt, but the thought of a break in Tehachapi helped pushing forward. We made it to the highway crossing around 1pm… and as usual, getting a hitchhike was no problem at all. Thank you Tehachapi citizens for being so hiker friendly!

fbt — Hitchhiking with two dogs on the back seat. Everyone is happy, and the dogs enjoyed licking some dirty and sweaty hikers…

cof — Food at Denny’s just opposite of the hotel

After lunch checking in to the Holiday Express, I picked up my new home for the next 5 months… My ZPacks Duplex tent! 😁 So excited…

Left: MSR Hubba hubba (1.7kg), right: Zpacks Duplex (0.6kg)

We didn’t really do much in the evening. After dinner at Subway’s, everyone was just exhausted. Two more lazy days in town with lots of food, rest and a movie or two to come.

Day 34 – From Highway 138 crossing to Tylerhorse Canyon campground, mile 542

May 24. Got up at 4am, quick breakfast at the market. Since they feed all about 10 hikers camping there, it took a bit longer than planned. Driving to the trail head from Wee Vill Market was planned at 5am, with the breakfast taking longer than expected, we actually made it to trail at 6am.

The famous aquaduct walk was waiting and with that normally one of the hottest sections of the PCT. Temperatures in the 100s F/ 40s C are common – but we were once again lucky with the weather. No shade though, so still not an easy day.

It was 17 miles on very flat terrain to the only water source, we had planned totally 24 miles for that day.

First break after 10 miles, at 9.30am, with little shade. We covered the 17 miles until 1pm. Filtering the water, a long rest under a bridge followed. Probably 20 hikers were waiting out the hottest hours there.

What’s the difference between a homeless person and a PCT hiker?

We started walking at 3.30pm again, last 7 miles to Tylerhorse Canyon Campground. Arrived 6.15pm. Quickly pitched tent after this long and hot 24 miles day.

My newly acquired two blisters were painful. Happy to get to town tomorrow and enjoy the planned zero day. This time I feel I need it to rest and take care of my blisters.

Amazing day. Went out of my comfort zone again. Thank you PCT.

Day 33 – from Sawmill Campground to Highway 138 crossing, mile 518.

500 miles walked, just 2150 more to go to Canada. 😁

May 23. Got up around 6am, on trail around 7am. Shortly after, we got to the 500 miles marker singing the “I would walk 500 miles” song…

Song of today: I’m gonna be (500 miles) – The Proclaimers

The trail continued once again through beautiful changing landscapes.

Coming to the highway 138 crossing, I went with Tinkle to have a look at Hikertown. There were some rumors and discussions on Guthook (app) about Hikertown, so we decided to ask the people from Wee Vill Market for a pickup.

It was a good decision. The food was great (Double cheese and bacon burger), we got to pitch our tents next to the shop for free as well as hot showers.

The night would be short though since we planned an early start to walk the aquaduct and crossing the Mojave tomorrow.

Day 32 – From Casa de Luna to Sawmill campground, mile 498

May 22. There was breakfast offered at Casa de Luna at 6am with coffee, pancakes. Well fed, we quickly got a ride to the trail.

Riding in the bed of a pickup to the trail head

With the limited water availability, we planned another 20 miles day, heading to the Sawmill campground with water available from a nearby guzzler. The guzzler in this case was a tank that is fed with rainwater collected from the roof covering the tank. Getting water was a bit cumbersome… Crawling under the low roof, opening the tank and reaching low to get to the water.

In the water report, a pesky bear had been reported at this campground. So the bear was the topic of the evening… We pitched our tents closely together. Discussion about food storage… Hang it (if you know how), keep it in the tent? I decided to keep my food close to be in the tent. Others hanged their food in the trees – not so sure if I bear could not easily get there…

Fell asleep quickly despite the talk about the bear. He never showed. 😉

Day 31 – From tentsite to Casa de Luna in Greenvalley, mile 478

May 21. Woke up around 6am, still in the clouds. Breakfast in the tent. Left around 730am with Cactass, some of the others still in their tents due to the nasty weather.

There were 16 miles to go to for today, aiming to get to Greenvalley/Casa de Luna.

Casa de Luna is a special place. Together with Hiker Heaven one of the most famous trail angel places in California. Less organized than Hiker Heaven or Scout&Frodo, but very relaxed place. In the back a huge garden, tentsites everywhere. Decorated with hand painted stones, e.g.

What happens in the forest stays in the forest.
Next stone: Except herpes.
Next stone: Expect herpes.
Last stone: Accept herpes.

😂

Taco salad in the evening. I got spanked by the trail angel and host Terry for not fully complying to the dinner table rules. 😂 Later the evening, everyone had to dance for her to receive the PCT Class of 2018 bandana. Holding the bandana felt a bit unreal. I remember it felt like yesterday when Scout&Frodo spoke about the bandana at mile 478 – it sounded so far away.
When taking the mandatory group photo, Terry had a surprise move to ensure smiles on everyone’s face.

What a day… 🤣